Antennaria dioica var. borealis

Considered as a valuable wild perennial plant, Antennaria dioica var. borealis, sometimes called diocious pussytoes, forms semi-evergreen and velvety grey-green carpets that are covered with clustered white heads in spring. Its beautiful tomentose foliage is arranged in soft rosettes of leaves that are pleasing to the eye and touch, implanted on stoloniferous stems that allow the plant to spread over time. Descending rocky scree slopes or lining dry wooded areas, this cold-hardy perennial is not afraid of intense cold, drought, or poor soils. It is perfect in rock gardens, thrives on the top of walls, and happily creeps between paving stones.

Antennaria dioica var. borealis is a perennial plant from the Asteraceae family, native to subarctic regions of the globe; it is a specific research area, intermediate between cold temperate and polar climates. It grows in taiga, or at the edge of boreal forests. This plant develops from a branching stoloniferous stump, which produces prostrate and slender stems carrying rosettes of narrow leaves measuring 5cm (2in) in length. They are spatulate to lanceolate, covered in a thick down. The foliage is yellowish-green to silvery on the upper surface, with a white woolly pubescence on the lower surface. Over time, it forms a carpet that can cover more than one square metre. Flowering takes place in May-June. Tall peduncles measuring 12 to 15cm (5 to 6in) in height, adorned with tiny leaves applied along their entire length, emerge above the carpet of leaves. Each one bears at its tip a cluster of 3 to 8 white pompom-like heads, which are topped with a collar of scale-like bracts with a woolly base. Male plants bear smaller heads, while female plants have broader inflorescences with large oval bracts. Flowering is followed by the formation of smooth fruits topped with a tuft.

Antennaria dioica var. borealis is a boon for gardens with thin soil. It is still little known and underutilised in our gardens, but Antennaria dioica var. borealis is an ideal plant for spartan conditions, just like Sedum spectabile, dwarf mugworts, or creeping gypsophiles. Combine it with grasses and grey-foliaged plants that often accept these difficult living conditions. You can create an unforgettable and low-maintenance scene by planting it with dwarf asters, small grasses like Molinia 'Edith Dudszus', and the curry plant (Helichrysum italicum). To cover a large area, it can be paired with dry ground cover plants such as Lippia nodiflora, Frankenia laevis, or creeping thyme. Magnificent in rock gardens or along a border in a wild garden, it is also an excellent plant for walls or green roofs.